Without Palais Garnier and the legend associated with it, Gaston Leroux would perhaps never have written “The Phantom of the Opera”. The fact is that the story is based on a real legend that existed at that time. Some people believe that a ghost lives in the opera house up until now, which gives it some sort of mysticism. The building on its own deserves a visit owing to the fact that it is considered a recognized standard of eclectic architecture of Beaux-Arts style. It was open in the year 1875. Place de la Bastille is yet another place from which the unsettled wind of history blows. In place of the former fortress which was built in 1381, you can now see only places as Colonne de Juillet, Bassin de l'Arsenal and Opéra Bastille. The fortress was destroyed in the year 1791, and the state holiday of July 14th is celebrated to recall precisely these events.
Not one article that you will read on the capital of fashion and romance can be considered complete without mentioning the La tour Eiffel. Despite the fact that the tower came into existence in the city relatively recently (it was built only in 1889), and it was almost sold even when it had not yet become a symbol of the city, it is the most recognizable landmark of the city today. Being here, it is of course worth taking a stroll through the Champs-Elysees. However, the most ancient street of the city is known as “Street of the fishing cat” (or Rue du Chat qui Peche). The street is very narrow, the narrowest in Paris actually. Many legends are associated with it, and each local will eagerly tell his version of why he believes the street is named so. Nonetheless, it is up to you the listener to choose what to believe and what not to.
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